patient does not want to report rape

Why victims don’t report their rape to the police Fear of not being believed, especially if the rapist is older, more powerful or respected in the community. Fear of humiliation by family, the police, friends, colleagues or others.

Full Answer

Do I have to report a rape?

Remember: you never have to report a rape or sexual assault; it’s 100% your decision. Whether or not you want to report your rape, you’ll always find a caring a supportive ear at Marie Stopes. We’re here to listen, support and help you in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

How do I find a rape and abuse clinic?

To find a special clinic in your community, call the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network ( RAINN ) at 800-656-HOPE (4673). The police can also tell you where to find a clinic in your area. If you think you were drugged, ask the hospital or clinic to take a urine sample.

What should I do if I’m a victim of rape?

Consider asking a friend, relative, or advocate to come with you to the police station. Having someone else present with you when you report the rape may help the situation feel less scary or overwhelming.

Why are women afraid to report sexual assault?

Many women are afraid to report a rape or sexual assault because they fear no one will believe them. And false rape charges are often talked about in the media. But researchers think that less than 10% of reported rapes are false. 5

What is the fear of not being believed?

Fear of not being believed, especially if the rapist is older, more powerful or respected in the community. Fear of humiliation by family, the police, friends, colleagues or others. Society tends to blame victims, especially female victims, or to emasculate male victims of rape.

Is rape a crime in South Africa?

Rape is one of the prevalent crimes in South Africa, with horrifying statistics growing each day. You may be shocked to learn that even the stomach-churning stats you see in the news don’t accurately reflect the extent of this crime in South Africa – or perhaps you wouldn’t be.

How to report a rape?

Reporting a Rape. Once your safety is assured and you receive medical attention, writing down the details of the rape is important. It's critical to get as much information down as possible while the memory is fresh. Write down everything that happened. Write down everything you remember about the attacker .

What is the number to call if you have been raped?

Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE can provide you with information on what to do if you have been raped. It is free and available 24 hours a day. Do not brush your teeth, bathe or change clothes until medical professionals have had a chance to properly collect evidence.

What to do after a rape?

The most important thing to do after rape is to ensure your own safety and get medical attention. The first obvious step is to find a safe environment away from the attacker. This could be your home, car or a hospital. Wherever you choose to go, consider calling a friend to come with you to offer moral support.

What is rape?

The U.S. Department of Justice defines rape as “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” 3 The federal government uses this legal definition to collect information from local police about rape.

How can I tell if I have been raped?

You may not be sure if you were raped. The definition of rape is different in different states. But you may have been raped if you were penetrated — even partially — by a body part or object without your permission. In some states, penetration by other body parts, such as fingers or objects, is also rape.

What should I do if I have been raped?

Get to a safe place. Call 911 if you can. The most important thing after a rape is your safety.

Why do I need medical care after a rape?

After a rape, it can be difficult to think about being touched in personal areas by doctors or nurses. But it’s important that you get examined by health professionals who can look for internal injuries and get you medicines to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.

What happens at the hospital?

Even if you were not physically injured, you may need a full and complete medical exam. This type of medical exam is called a sexual assault forensic exam. It should be very thorough and might take several hours.

Can I get medicine to prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV after a rape?

Yes. The hospital or clinic can give you medicines that can help keep you from getting many sexually transmitted infections. This is called a prophylactic (proh-fuh-LAK-tik) treatment. It helps to keep you from getting an infection in case you have been exposed. Medicines should be given as soon as possible.

Can I get medicine to prevent pregnancy after a rape?

Most hospitals or clinics can give you emergency contraception pills to keep you from getting pregnant, or you can buy them over the counter at the drugstore. These pills are sometimes called morning-after pills. Emergency contraception is not the same thing as the abortion pill.

Is sexual contact between an adult and a child reportable?

Depending on the laws of the jurisdiction all sorts of inappropriate sexual contact between an adult and a child might be reportable. But the victim does not need to be a child to make this a reportable occurrence. If the victim is a senior citizen that is reportable in lots of places.

Is financial abuse reported to the elderly?

Financial abuse of the elderly, that gets reported most of the time. There are rules about when but remember it is the abuse, not the financial crime that is getting reported.

Do counselors report rape?

If the victim is an adult – counselors do not report rape. Rape is a crime. We do not report crimes unless there is a legal exception to confidentiality that requires us to report something. As far as I know, rape is not one of those crimes that get reported. If the victim is an adult they should report it.

Why does Gretchen need to report abuse?

If Carly had younger siblings living with her father, for instance, she might need to report the abuse in order to protect the children. If Carly lived in a state that legally required social workers to report past abuse ...

Does Gretchen allow Carly to report abuse?

On balance, given the facts of the case as interpreted by Gretchen, she decides to permit Carly to decide whether or not to report the abuse. This course of action not only respects Carly’s rights to self-determination and privacy, but also affords Gretchen with the opportunity of continuing to work with Carly.